Veterinary Podcast by the VetGurus

News For the First Time Since 1977, Zero Rhinos Were Poached In India’s Parks Ancient 5ft penguin weighed as much as a gorilla Main Topic: Dental Disease in Ferrets Bite, chew, rip. Some things many pet ferrets do not do – contributing to dental disease in this species. This week we discuss dental disease in pet ferrets – causes treatment and prevention. Get stuck in! VetGurus Merchand...

News Wet pet food is far worse for climate than dry food, study finds Northern elephant seals sleep just two hours a day at sea Main Topic: Feather issues in birds We ruffle the feathers this week – literally – with an overview of feather issues in birds. There has been a few previous episodes with discussion about feathers (example Ep. 192 in June 2021 on feather picking) however this...

News The remarkable science behind fat bears that holds important lessons for human health Main Topic: Ferret ear wax and otitis It’s the topic you’ve been waiting for: a discussion of ferret ears and their ear wax. Enjoy! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podca...

News A newfound ‘croakless’ frog may communicate via touch Scientists have mapped an insect brain in greater detail than ever before Main Topic: Dealing with difficult clients A client is ranting and raging in reception. The other clients (and pets) are cowering, quietly pretending to ignore the situation. You can’t avoid it, as YOU are the focus of the angry client… or are you? This w...

News Goffin’s cockatoos able to use toolset to complete tasks Why discovering a ‘true’ giant wombat fossil in Qld is a big deal Main Topic: Guinea Pig Caesarean We tackle Guinea Pig caesareans this week – let’s get cutting! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podc...

News Capybaras thrive, even near humans, because they’re not picky eaters Woman, 56, first person to die from H3N8 bird flu: WHO Main Topic: Urinary sludge in Rabbits A common finding when examining rabbits is urinary sludge. What is it; is it of concern; if so, how do we deal with it? VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive...

Review Mark details and reviews his simple and elegant rig for macro wildlife photos. Unsurprisingly , it received an 8.6 out of 10 score. Main Topic: Bloat in Rabbits We covered bloat in rabbits way back in Episode 175 (Feb 5/2021). We thought it was time to revisit this topic as it a common topic at exotic clinics, conferences, and at the bar (Brendan and Mark visit some unusual drinking places!...

Main Topic: Reptile Papers This week we delve into some published papers relating to reptiles News Colonic Diverticulosis in a Black Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Repair of a Comminuted Femur Fracture in a Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) Using a Double Plating Technique VetGurus Merchandise –...

News Bogong but not forgotten: Website helps track moth that needs a hand They found its legs. Now the search for the rest of the thunderbird … is go! Main Topic: Pododermatitis in Birds A relatively common issue in avian practice is foot problems in pet birds, specifically pododermatitis. This week Brendan quizzes Mark on the ins and outs of ‘bumblefoot’. VetGurus Merchandise –...

News US says it’s ‘likely impossible’ to eradicate invasive Burmese python population Kookaburra cull of 350 birds lands Tasmanian man a $5,000 fine for incorrect weapons permit Main Topic: Household hazards in pet birds Mark covers household hazards for pet birds… look out! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive bran...

News Gloria the Green Tree Python saved by UQ Vets Orange-bellied parrot shows there’s more to saving endangered species than captive breeding Main Topic: Ferret Facts It’s rapid-fire time this week with Five Fantastic Fun Ferret Facts from Brendan. Some quirky, all fun. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded...

News Tiger sharks helped discover the world’s largest seagrass prairie Survey finds more than two-thirds of Australian households now own a pet Main Topic: Frilled lizards This week we delve into the fascinating frilled lizard ( Chlamydosaurus kingi ), also known as the frill-necked lizard or frilled dragon. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range...

News Fish can recognize themselves in photos, further evidence they may be self-aware Why male giraffes drink potential mates’ pee Main Topic: Foreign Bodies in Reptiles We covered gastrointestinal obstructions in birds in Episode 174 (Jan 2021). This week we cover obstructions in reptiles. Why are some reptiles more prone to having things ‘stuck’ in them? What types of foreign bodies...

News Artificial intelligence finds Eastern Bristlebirds Giant cane toad discovered in Australia dubbed ‘Toadzilla’ Main Topic: Coccidiosis in Bearded Dragons It’s time for a poo check this week, with a discussion of coccidiosis in bearded dragons. How common is this condition and is it a concern? VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of qu...

News What happens when humans meddle with nature? Main Topic: Raising young birds If yo work with unusual and exotics pets or wildlife it will be inevitable that you are presented with a young bird to raise. This week we cover the basics of housing, feeding, raising .. and letting go.. birds that are a day to several weeks of age. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Chec...

News ‘Kingpin’ bird smuggler turns jailbird Birds that dive may be at greater risk of extinction Main Topic: 5 Paradoxes of Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinary Practice Mark and Brendan get philosophical this week, discussing aspects of our niche profession and some paradoxes that apply. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive...

News Endoscope-Guided Marble Foreign Body Removal Technique in an Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Cardiac Tamponade Following Cardiocentesis in a Ball Python (Python regius) Veterinarian from Ecuador takes helm at WSAVA No one in Victoria has heard this bird for almost 40 years. Have a listen A clam presumed extinct for 40,000 years has been found alive Dwarf Boa New To Science Discovered...

News No news this week! Main Topic: Exotics Conferences Brendan and Mark enthuse about the value of attending exotics conferences. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podcast , helping pay for our production costs. So the bonus for you is that you get some great merchandise a...

News: Thor the celebrity walrus in UK heads back to sea Why Do We Love Some Animals But Kill Or Eat Others? Main Topic: Avian Oncology It’s a deep dive into avian neoplasms this week. Hold on tight as Mark runs through diagnosis, treatment and more of again oncology. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded item...

News How scientists found an African bat lost to science for 40 years Drug-resistant bacteria evolved on hedgehogs long before the use of antibiotics Main Topic: Toe amputation in reptiles Chop Chop! Amputation of reptile toes in the main topic this week. Necrotic or traumatised toes are not uncommon in some reptile species such as bearded dragons or skinks. We discuss why these issues occur and h...

News Dolphins can identify their friends by taste, study shows for the first time Plastic-stuffed seabirds sound alarm call for Australian ocean health Main Topic: Environmental enrichment for birds What a ‘bird brain’ is a derogatory term of humans. What about birds? Do they get bored, are some species smarter than others, and what can we do to make the life of a pet bird more complet...

Review Brendan reviews the book The vet at NOAH’s Ark by renowned exotics veterinarian Dr Doug Mader. It receives a solid score of 8.6 out of 10. Main Topic: Selected eye issues in exotic pets We just do eyes this week with a rapid rundown of some interesting eye issues of exotic pets. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, disti...

News Beloved receptionist celebrates 70 years at UK veterinary Practice Bioluminescent millipedes believed to be found for first time in Australia by Illawarra bushwalkers Main Topic: Exotic Pet Nursing Tips and Tricks It’s veterinary technician and nursing time this week! We chat about some tips and tricks for those wanting to get into nursing of exotic pets. VetGurus Merchandise – Ve...

Main Topic: Are Zoos useful? It’s discussion of a controversial subject this week: do we need zoos? What is their function? Mark and Brendan discuss this and more. VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podcast , helping pay for our production costs. So the bonus for you i...

Main Topic: It’s our Holiday Special Mark and Brendan reminisce in our holiday special.. Enjoy! VetGurus Merchandise – VetGurus Etsy Store VetGurus Shop Checkout the VetGurus range of quirky, distinctive branded items. All purchases help support our podcast , helping pay for our production costs. So the bonus for you is that you get some great merchandise and you feel good inside for s...